No crises for days PLUS a call for names!

When friends have asked this week how we're doing, I answer: "Good! We haven't had a crisis since Monday!"

We are so thankful for "normal" days that don't require anxious phone calls to the doctor or yet another 30-mile drive to the cancer center.

Compared to a month ago, Steve is still struggling. But he feels better today than he did a week ago. He's a little more stable, a little stronger, not as tired. Hooray for small steps in the right direction!

We're encouraged by this for a couple of reasons. The Avastin/Carboplain combo may be fighting back new tumor growth, as shown by slightly improved symptoms. At a minimum we think it's preventing new growth, as he hasn't had a decline in symptoms since the treatment last week. And, of course, we're thankful for any relief for our "Super Stevie" (nickname courtesy of Aunt Ami).

Even though it's been a crisis-free few days, Steve has still been active.

The home-health physical therapist and occupational therapist worked with him two days each, for a total of four hours of exercises.

He worked from home all week, from the sofa or comfy green chair or even from bed.

He's getting great use from the shiny red walker. He used it Monday to get from the van to the school cafeteria, where he watched Cooper and his DI friends perform their award-winning skit for the whole school. He relies on it at home to get from room to room and even carry his drink, book, knitting, phone, etc. (Did you know that Betty taught Steve how to knit? He's working on a prayer shawl as a gift, wanting to give back for the many he's received since last year.)

The only thing the walker lacks is a name. If you've got a good suggestion, please leave it in the comments.

Steve and his walker, Monday at school